Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1887-03-24

and set the seal Of his disapproval on human
offerings, which were doubtless common at
that time among the Canaanites.
Jacob and ESau-The rights of the first
born son were particularly sacred in olden
times; but God more than once set them
aside in the family of the Patriarchs. The
beloved son Isaac proved to be a weak charac-
ter. He showed faith in God, but he also dis
played fondness for Esau's venison which
seemed unworthy of the heir of such great
promises. This son cared more for the graft
fication of his appetites than he did for the
birthright, which opened such glorious posi-
bilities in the future. He sold it to his
brother Jacob for a mess of pottage, and
finally lost tbs blessing of the first born by
his brothers deceit. Jacob did not become
the inheritor Of these blessings because of his
falsehOOd, for which he was abundantly pun
ished, but because he had some true apprecia-
tion of the birthright. It was for this reason,
when he was compelled to leave his home to
escape the wrath Of his brother Esau, that
God made that wonderful revelation of HIM
self to Bethel, and made himself known as
the angel of Jehovah who redeemed him from
all evil Gen. Xviii, 16.
The Struggle of Jabbok.-Years Of trial
and discipline passed. A lonely traveller.
with only a shepherds staff, he had gone to
his uncle Laban's house. About twenty wears
after he left, rich sheikh, with large fam
lily and numerous hocks and herds. He had
had a religious experience Of rather super
fetal sort, but that experience needed to be
deepened before he could become the spiritual
father Of his people. Saved from the wrath
of Laban, he was made aware of the coming
OF his brother with four hundred men. That
brother through all the years had not forgot
ten the cruel wrong done him. Jacob prayed
and used all possible foresight to appease the
wrath of his brother After all his prepara-
tions were made he was left alone in the gloom
of night. A man appeared and began to
wrestle with him. Was it an assassin sent by
his brother Esau to slay him? Before morn
ing he could not have doubted that it was the
angel of Jehovah with whom he was wrest-
ling, and that he had power to bless him. This
heavenly visitor as the morning was lust dawn
ing sought to leave him. but Jacob. who bad
wept in his intercession, broke out in passion
ate eaTnestness-'I viii not let thee 90 except
thou bless me-" Then for the first time the
angel, using his divine power, touched him
He blessed him, but he made him lame, that
Jacob might not think that through his own
strength he had gotten the victory It was
only through this conflict that he prevailed
over men and God, and received as it were
the memorial name of his spiritual consecra-
tiOn-Israel.
POINTS TO BE REMEMBERED.
1. The Bible is the history Of redemption
Its object is not to give profane science or
history.
2. Man was created in the image OF God.
8. The divine image was marred and para
disc was lost by the fall That image cannot
be restored or paradise regained by mans
own efforts. He must be born from above,
and the new Jerusalem, of which he may be-
come citizen, must descend from above
4 Murder and all the horrible evils which
defile the earth are the result of sin.
5. Mere civilization does not save men.
Music and the arts and the charms of beauty
may be the attendants Of corruption and VIC
lence, the graceful drapery of the angel Of
light into which the god of this world seeks
to transform himself.
g. There would have been no people of re-
demption if God had left the world to its own
natural development. He first chose Noah
and then Abraham.
z. Mere worldly wealth is not the best
thing. Men who pursue it at the expense Of
every other consideration will at length find
themselves as poor as Lot was when fleeing
from Sodom.
s. Gods covenant cannot be broken Men
fail to fulfill their engagements. God never
fails to perform his promises.
9. The judge of all the earth does right.
We may not be able to see it now or to make
itappear to others. The time is coming when
all the world will recognize His justice
10. God demands the complete surrender Of
all we have. Since he gave his son for Us
it is but little that we should give ourselves
for him.
IL. Most men sell their birthright fer .
mess of pottage. They sell their souls for q
little of this worlds goods-its honors or
pleasures
II. The place of prayer is the place Of VIC
tory for every believing souL-Sunday
School World